Garment exports up, margins down
Despite concerns that political uncertainty would be a drag on the economy, Cambodia’s garment exports continued on an upward trend in the first nine months of the year, the latest data show.
Though volume increased, factory profit margins were squeezed due to labour disputes and demands for higher wages, according to the Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC).
Cambodia’s garment and footwear exports were worth $4.1 billion in the first nine months this year, a rise of 22 per cent from the $3.44 billion amount in the nine months through September 2012, the Ministry of Commerce said yesterday.
The numbers came as something of a surprise following months of election-related tension. …
The real impact, GMAC says, came in the form of labour demonstrations over unpaid wages, and gripes with management. …
Hor Kimsay
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/business/garment-exports-margins-down
